Pi Network’s price has skyrocketed by over 100% in just 24 hours, pushing its valuation to $1.51.
This dramatic surge has drawn the attention of investors and analysts, with speculation growing about the token’s potential future gains.
Source: CoinMarketCap
An unusual development has added a layer of complexity to this rally—several major exchanges have temporarily halted Pi withdrawals.
While some view this as a technical issue, others believe it is a calculated strategy to control supply and drive up demand.
The question now is whether Pi’s price can sustain this momentum or if a correction is imminent.
Pi’s surge and trading limits
Pi Network’s explosive price growth is unusual for a token that has only recently gained traction in the broader crypto market.
Typically, new listings on major exchanges lead to significant volatility, but the combination of limited supply and strategic restrictions has intensified Pi’s upward momentum.
On 21 February 2025, leading exchanges such as OKX and Bitget paused Pi withdrawals, preventing buyers from transferring their holdings off-platform.
Ordinarily, newly listed tokens experience a short lock-up period before users are allowed to withdraw and trade freely.
Pi’s ongoing restrictions, despite being listed, have raised questions about whether this is merely a technical delay or part of a larger strategy to create scarcity.
Investors who initially deposited Pi onto these exchanges before the rally can still access their funds, but those who purchased Pi at the new highs are facing withdrawal barriers.
This discrepancy has fueled speculation that the restrictions are not accidental but a calculated move to sustain the token’s rapid price gains.
Scarcity driving up value
The unusual trading activity around Pi Network suggests that its rally is not solely driven by market demand. Instead, the inability of new buyers to withdraw their holdings has reduced selling pressure, artificially restricting supply and boosting prices.
This tactic is not unprecedented in the crypto space—tokens with controlled circulating supplies often experience exaggerated price movements when demand increases.
Pi’s network has long operated differently from traditional cryptocurrencies.
Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, which have publicly accessible wallets and transparent transactions, Pi remains largely enclosed within its own ecosystem.
The delayed listing on major exchanges and the controlled rollout of trading functionality have only reinforced the idea that Pi’s developers are carefully managing its market entry to prevent early sell-offs.
While this benefits long-term holders by creating a scarcity-driven price surge, it also raises concerns about what will happen when the restrictions are eventually lifted.
Can Pi keep rising?
Pi’s recent price action raises the critical question of sustainability.
Cryptocurrencies often see extreme price fluctuations, and tokens with restricted supply frequently experience sharp corrections once trading restrictions are removed.
If Pi’s price surge is primarily fueled by limited withdrawals, then an eventual easing of these restrictions could trigger significant sell-offs.
Pi’s growing user base and the enthusiasm around its potential use cases could provide some level of price stability.
Many early adopters have held onto their Pi holdings in anticipation of full exchange integration, and the longer the restrictions remain in place, the more scarcity could drive prices higher.
On the other hand, if confidence in Pi’s liquidity diminishes, investors may begin exiting their positions at the first opportunity, leading to a sharp price drop.
The coming days will be crucial for Pi’s trajectory. If withdrawals remain restricted and demand continues to climb, the price could see further gains.
Any sudden lifting of restrictions could lead to increased volatility, testing whether Pi’s rally is built on genuine demand or temporary market conditions.
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